God. Dog.
Three little letters. The same letters, just reversed.
I know, I know. You've probably noticed that before. But this morning, those two little words meant something different to me.
I was lying in bed, having just finished my morning devotional. My Great Dane, Waylon, was stretched out beside me, perfectly content just to be there.
And I started thinking about love.
Not the complicated kind. Not the kind that comes with expectations, conditions, or disappointment.
The kind that simply is.
Life has been a little overwhelming lately. I've had days when I've cried more than I've smiled. Days when I've questioned myself, my decisions, and what the future might hold. Days when I've felt like I'm just not getting this whole life thing right.
And through those days, I've found myself leaning on two very important sources of comfort.
God. And my dog.
A Love That Doesn't Keep Score
Waylon doesn't care whether I've had a productive day. He doesn't care if I've accomplished everything on my to-do list, if my hair is a mess, or if I've spent the morning in my pajamas.
He doesn't expect me to have all the answers.
He's just happy I'm there.
If I'm having a good day, he's there. If I'm having a terrible day, he's still there. He doesn't ask me to explain my feelings or tell me what I should have done differently.
Sometimes, he just lies beside me.
And sometimes, that's exactly what I need.
There's something incredibly comforting about being loved without having to earn it.
And Then There's God
My relationship with God is something I'm still growing into.
I haven't always been as close to Him as I want to be. I've wandered. I've questioned. I've tried to handle things on my own, only to discover that I wasn't doing such a great job.
But here's what I'm learning.
God doesn't stop loving me when I stumble.
His love isn't a reward for being a perfect Christian, making all the right decisions, or having my life neatly organized.
It's grace.
It's the love of a Father who knows every flaw, every fear, every mistake, and still calls me His child.
And on the days when I don't particularly like myself, that means everything.
Sometimes Love Doesn't Need Words
I've been thinking a lot lately about how we recognize love.
We often look for it in grand gestures, thoughtful words, and people doing exactly what we need them to do.
But sometimes love is quieter than that.
Sometimes it's a peaceful moment after prayer.
Sometimes it's a Bible verse that seems to speak directly to what you're going through.
And sometimes it's a giant dog taking up three-quarters of your bed, perfectly happy to share your little corner of the world.
I'm certainly not comparing my dog to God. One is my Creator. The other is a very large, occasionally stubborn Great Dane who thinks he's a lapdog.
But I believe God gives us little reminders of His goodness in the world around us.
And I can't help but think that the love and companionship of a dog is one of those gifts.
Just a Thought This Morning
I don't have some profound lesson to teach today.
I'm still figuring things out. I'm still learning to trust God instead of worrying about tomorrow. I'm still learning to give myself a little grace.
But this morning, with Waylon lying beside me and the words of my devotional still on my mind, I felt grateful.
Grateful for a God who loves me even when I struggle to love myself.
And grateful for a big, gentle dog who has absolutely no idea how much comfort he brings me simply by being there.
Maybe that's what I needed to be reminded of today.
God reminds me that I am loved.
My dog reminds me that I am not alone.
And some mornings, that's more than enough.
Big dogs. Big love. Better finds.
